The Knicks will host the following six players in a pre-draft workout at MSG Training Center on Thursday:

B.J. Young, Guard, 6-3, 180, Arkansas, Sophomore

Young broke onto the scene with a strong freshman year in the SEC and considered entering last year's draft before deciding to return for another season. His shooting numbers dropped as a sophomore, but he managed to up his a.ssists while cutting down his turnovers. DraftExpress projects Young as a late second round prospect, but says that he "remains one of the most electric open-court scorers in college basketball, blessed with terrific quickness pushing the ball up the floor and the ability to finish above the rim."

Brandon Paul, Guard, 6-4, 200, Illinois, Senior

Paul is an explosive athlete, despite lacking prototypical size for an NBA shooting guard. He can break down defenders in isolation and has shown he's comfortable as a go-to scorer. Hoping to get drafted in the second round, Paul profiles as a potential combo guard off the bench, according to DraftExpress.

Reggie Bullock, Guard/Forward, 6-7, 205, North Carolina, Junior

Bullock has a chance to be drafted in the first round thanks to his excellent long-range shooting ability and feel for the game. He was a 43% 3-point shooter in his junior season at North Carolina, and has plenty of size to play the wing in the NBA. What he lacks in top end athleticism, he makes up for by knowing where to be and rebounding the ball well for his position. Scouts project him to be a similar type of player to the Spurs' Danny Green, another former Tar Heel.

James Ennis, Guard/Forward, 6-7, 210, Long Beach State, Senior

Another rangy wing with shooting ability, Ennis is seen as a second round prospect by most pundits. He shot 36% from three as a senior and proved to be a versatile scorer with good length for an NBA small forward. His 6-11 wingspan and overall athleticism lead scouts to believe that he has the potential to be a solid defender at the next level.

Romero Osby, Forward, 6-8, 232, Oklahoma, Senior

Osby enters the draft as a senior with solid numbers at the University of Oklahoma: 16 points and seven a.ssists in 28.5 minutes per game. He's a bit undersized for an NBA power forward but he shot over 50% in his two years in Norman after transferring from Mississippi State.

Kenny Kadji, Forward/Center, 6-11, 242, Miami, Senior

DraftExpress called him "one of the mot versatile players you'll find in college basketball," capable of scoring in a wide variety of ways. At his size, he has the potential to develop into a legitimate stretch-4 in the NBA thanks to his deft shooting touch and range. Most pundits see him as a candidate to get drafted in the second round.

After hosting potential draft prospects for workouts both Wednesday and Thursday, the Knicks will have the following six more to MSG Training Center on Friday:

Ricardo Ledo, Guard, 6-6, 180, Providence, Freshman

Ledo is seen as a high-upside prospect. Recruited by many of the top programs out of high school, he was ruled academically ineligible after deciding to attend Providence and had to sit out his entire freshman year. He has good size for an NBA lead guard and is seen by many as a very gifted offensive player; he's a good athlete, can create his own shot, and is a good ball handler.

Tahj Tate, Guard, 6-4, 190, Delaware State, Sophomore

Tate played 35 minutes a game for Delaware State in each of his two seasons, averaging 16.1 points as a freshman before falling to 12.8 this past season. He shot just under 50% from 2-point range and averaged about 2.5 a.ssists during his college career.

Adonis Thomas, Guard/Forward, 6-7, 240, Memphis, Sophomore

Coming from Memphis, Thomas boasts a prototypical physical profile for an NBA small forward. He has upside thanks to his height, long wingspan (7'0) and touch in the midrange area.

Christian Watford, Forward, 6-9, 232, Indiana, Senior

Watford's calling card is his shooting ability. As a 3-point shooter, he improved each year in Bloomington and shot over 48 percent this past season. He's got good length, making him intriguing to scouts as a stretch-4 prospect.

Tony Mitchell, Forward, 6-8, 235, North Texas, Sophomore

Mitchell has become one of the trendy picks for the Knicks in mock drafts recently. Many of the pundits like his potential as an NBA big; according to DraftExpress, his "physical attributes remain his greatest selling point...with excellent athleticism, a solid frame, and a very impressive 7'3 wingspan. He is capable of utilizing these tools effectively in his shot-blocking, rebounding and finishing around the basket."

Grant Jerrett, Forward, 6-10, 235, Arizona, Freshman

A former McDonald's All-American, Jerrett had to battle for minutes in a crowded (and talented) frontcourt this past season at Arizona. With even more talent on the way to Tucson this year, he decided to enter the NBA draft with hopes that his size and length would tempt a team to pick him.

The Knicks have been focused on the point-guard position in the draft, but with Amar’e Stoudemire’s knees so fragile, their fallback is an athletic power forward.

Enter today’s pre-draft workouts when on-the-rise Tony Mitchell, a 6-foot-8 undersized sophomore power forward from tiny North Texas, will work out in the Tarrytown gym.

Mitchell is again climbing on the draft boards after his good showing at the Chicago pre-draft camp.

“Best athlete in the draft,’’ one Eastern Conference executive said. “But he’s below average to average skill-wise and his team didn’t win this year.’’

Mitchell entered his sophomore year as a potential lottery pick after an excellent freshman year, but tailed off this past season (13 points, eight rebounds). Before workouts began, some thought he would fall out of the first round altogether, but he’s gotten a new buzz after Chicago.

In mid-January, the Knicks were exploring big-man options because of fears Rasheed Wallace’s foot injury would not heal.

They contacted Andersen’s agent, as the so-called “Birdman’’ was good friends with J.R. Smith, had played with Carmelo Anthony and was once signed by then-Nuggets general manager Mark Warkentien, now a Knicks executive.

But the Knicks never made an offer. Andersen wound up a stud for Miami in late January and the Knicks wound up with Anderson’s former Nuggets teammate, Kenyon Martin, who had a solid stint, but didn’t play well in their Eastern Conference semifinals exit against Indiana.

Andersen has been the perfect piece to the Miami puzzle, a roster that lacked an active big off the bench.

“There were a number of teams who contacted us, but I was ready to write off the season in January,’’ Andersen told The Post.

Asked about the Knicks, Andersen just smiled. He said he still is in contact with Smith, with whom he played in New Orleans and Denver. They share an affinity for tattoos. Andersen’s bird tattoo on his neck is his signature.

“He’s pretty inked up,’’ Andersen said. “We’d be jealous of each other when the other got a tattoo. We’re all trying to get time in the chair.

“Congratulations to him for getting the Sixth Man, but he’s been a great player since I started playing with him in New Orleans. He’s sacrificed a lot to get the Sixth Man Award.’’

Martin didn’t turn out to be a bad choice for the Knicks, but Andersen, who carried in a lot of baggage and was amnestied by Denver last summer, has been super.

“K-Mart’s a helluva defender,’’ Andersen said. “He’s still got a lot left in his tank. I’m a little surprised he lasted that long in free agency. But it allowed him to play as hard as he does all the way to the end.’’

Andersen will be a free agent this summer and the Heat may have to dip into its $3.1 million mid-level exception to re-sign him. They may not, so the Knicks would have another crack at him. Asked if he would consider the Knicks, Andersen said, “I’m not even thinking about the summer.’’

***

* San Antonio’s Tracy McGrady, signed in April after playing against Stephon Marbury in China this season, feels the league is better off if college kids are mandated to stay two years.

“The league is so young — I hate to say it but talent in the league is pretty down,’’ said McGrady, who never has played a playoff game. His Chinese stint was great.

“I’m one of the most popular guys over there,’’ said McGrady, a former Yao Ming teammate. “Every time I go, thousands of people are waiting for me at the airport. It makes me feel like a rock star.’’

The Knicks resume their pre-draft workouts on Monday with the following five players visiting MSG Training Center:

Lorenzo Brown, Guard, 6-5, 186, North Carolina State, Senior

Brown transormed himself into a pure point guard during his time at N.C. State, giving him excellent size for the position at the next level. He has wiry strength and smooth, if not dynamic, athleticism, according to DraftExpress. Only a 42% shooter (26% from three), Brown relies on excellent handles and a quick first step when looking to create offense for himself.

Myck Kabongo, Guard, 6-1, 180, Texas, Sophomore

Kabongo is another pass first point guard. After a promising freshman year, he was limited to only 11 games this past season because of an NCAA suspension stemming from some airfare and private workouts he accepted. DraftExpress says: "He has very good natural point guard instincts, displays a consistently high basketball IQ, and is extremely unselfish. Combine that with his excellent court vision and these are extremely promising qualities for a point guard prospect to have."

Allen Crabbe, Guard, 6-6, 210, California, Junior

Crabbe possesses prototypical size for an NBA shooting guard, with the stroke to match (36% from three). He often received extra attention from defenses as the Golden Bears' go-to scorer, but he shot 53.6% on open spot up opportunities, according to Synergy Sports Technology.

Jeff Withey, Center, 7-0, 235, Kansas, Senior

Withey, a popular selection for the Knicks in some recent mock drafts, is best known for his incredible shot blocking acumen. The former volleyball player is a legitimate 7-footer with a 7-3 wingspan and above average athleticism for a big man. In just over 30 minutes per game as a Jayhawk last year, he averaged an outrageous 3.9 blocks.

Mike Muscala, Center, 6-11, 239, Bucknell, Senior

Muscala showed improvement every year at Bucknell, finishing up as a well-rounded big man prospect who could wind up getting drafted into the first or early second round. He has an array of post moves and can score with either hand, and his work in the weight room has helped become a stronger, more NBA-ready defender over the course of his career.

Hardaway is an interesting prospect and an absolute, hands-down first round talent. He’s athletic, can play both backcourt positions and is adept at getting into seems and making plays. He’s also, like his father who hit big shots against the Knicks my entire 20s basically, isn’t afraid to pull the trigger. That sort of confidence is what I love about this kid as well as his catch and make skills. Trey Burke was the star down the stretch in the tournament and that sort of pushed Hardaway to the side, but he had plenty of moments this year that makes me think he has special scoring ability.

My biggest concern is his defensive abilities to guard any position let alone 2 or 3. I do like his rebounding ability and how many times he took the initiative to go get the ball so he could trigger the offense. There’s no question Hardaway would be a very solid fit if he’s there at 24 going forward, but I don’t know he has the NBA-ready defensive skills to fit right into Mike Woodson’s rotation next season.

The Knicks continue their pre-draft workouts with a perimeter-heavy group today at MSG Training Center:

Phil Pressey, Guard, 5-11, 175, Missouri, Junior

The preseason player of the year in the SEC, Pressey's NBA future will depend on his ability to translate his great quickness and playmaking to the next level. He's a bit undersized for a point guard, not a great shooter, and struggled at times taking care of the ball, so he'll try to convince teams he can be an ace pick-and-roll floor general in the league.

Pierre Jackson, Guard, 5-10, 180, Baylor, Senior

Jackson is also undersized for a point guard, but his ball-handling and pick-and-roll skills make him stand out. DraftExpress said he earned points for his showing at the New Jersey pre-draft combine by "splitting defenders at will and threading the needle time after time with intelligent passes to rollers cutting to the basket or open shooters spotting up on the wing."

Tim Hardaway, Jr., Guard, 6-6, 205, Michigan, Junior

Hardaway is the son of the 5-time former All-Star by the same name. While his dad was a dynamic point guard, this Hardaway is more of a well-rounded shooting guard whose resume in three years in Ann Arbor is highlighted by a trip to the NCAA championship game this past season. He can shoot from three (36%), finish in transition with his athleticism, pass and handle.

Tony Snell, Guard, 6-7, 200, New Mexico, Junior

Snell has the complete physical package for an NBA small forward (athleticism, quickness, leaping ability), with room to add muscle to his 6-7 frame. The strength of his game is his shooting ability; he shot 39% from three and proved to scouts that he can move without the ball, spot up, and use screens effectively to free himself and get his shot off.

C.J. Leslie, Forward, 6-9, 200, North Carolina State, Junior

Leslie's measurables (6-9 with a 7'2.5" wingspan) have made him a premium prospect for years. Scouts still consider him to be raw, but with that designation comes the belief that he has great potential if he can add polish to his impressive physical profile. At this point, he's able to score in the post (52% shooting from the floor), where he can get off baby hook shots or face up and put the ball on the floor thanks to his length and explosiveness.

Glen Rice, Jr., Guard, 6-6, 215, Rio Grande Vipers (D-League)

Rice, who played with Iman Shumpert in college, has not taken the traditional path to the NBA. After leaving Georgia Tech, he decided not to sit out the year required to transfer, so he signed up for the D-League. After struggling to get playing time on a team stacked with first round picks, he finally emerged as a top prospect by averaging 29 points, 11.5 rebounds, 4 a.ssists, 3 steals and 3 blocks per game in leading his team to a sweep of the D-League championship series.

I dont know nothing about any of the dudes that supposed to be drafted but I hope we get a nice pick man...

I really want Tyreke Evans on the Knicks tho, people on NT hating on it....yet they would prefer Nate Robinson back over Reke

I know its a longshot but it makes sense to me, dude shot 48% on a bad team while being a slasher and we already know he can pass & rebound...at a legit 6'6 hes big, can play 1-3 and I think he would flourish in Mike Woodsons defensive system...then they bring up injuries...yeah he had a few but he only missed 2 more games than Melo this season.

Buyer beware. Knicks general manager Glen Grunwald probably wishes he had that $3.1 million mid-level exception from last summer to spend a different way.

It’s one thing if Jason Kidd, 40, rode off into the sunset with a TNT gig or as Sacramento Kings a.ssistant. But 10 days after Kidd retired after one season on Broadway and got out of his three-year contract, the Knicks get salt poured on the wound — with Kidd jumping across the East River Wednesday night to coach the rival Nets.

Don’t be surprised if a new billboard of the Nets newest head coach is hanging opposite the Garden.

Grunwald and coach Mike Woodson lauded Kidd in statements on the day he retired. Iman Shumpert tweeted his congratulations Wednesday night.

But the reality is this: After infiltrating Woodson’s Knicks for one season, Kidd will try to bring that knowledge to Brooklyn and attempt to create the same kind of misery he applied to the Knicks last decade as the Nets superstar point guard.

The Knicks got two months of solid basketball out of Kidd — November and December — for their precious mid-level exception. He collapsed in the playoffs with a historically bad 10-game scoreless streak. It led to his benching in the final two games of his career and contributed to the Knicks’ disappointing second-round ouster.

The expectation for a mid-level free-agent signee is to become a solid rotation player for three seasons. The Knicks figured on two years out of Kidd. Expectations are especially high now for mid-level signees because luxury taxpayers no longer can acquire a free agent via a sign-and-trade starting this summer.

Kidd’s retirement has left the Knicks scarce at point guard, razor-thin if Pablo Prigioni doesn’t re-sign. Had the Knicks known Kidd would last one season and be off their luxury-tax ledger, they may have been more inclined to match Jeremy Lin’s poison-pill offer sheet.

Kidd now gets to square off against Woodson, who benched him in the second half in his last two games. According to NBA sources, the Knicks would need to give Kidd consent to play in the next 12 months if he were to decide he wants to get back on the court as a player/coach.

I dont know nothing about any of the dudes that supposed to be drafted but I hope we get a nice pick man...

I really want Tyreke Evans on the Knicks tho, people on NT hating on it....yet they would prefer Nate Robinson back over Reke

I know its a longshot but it makes sense to me, dude shot 48% on a bad team while being a slasher and we already know he can pass & rebound...at a legit 6'6 hes big, can play 1-3 and I think he would flourish in Mike Woodsons defensive system...then they bring up injuries...yeah he had a few but he only missed 2 more games than Melo this season.

Any input?

as far as the draft goes, no one in this years draft is expected to be superstars but for playoff teams and on the verge teams, this is filled with good role players....Tyreke Evans in theory MAY be a possibility for the simple fact that the Kings are under new management and they may start cleaning house...it's no secret that Evans is unhappy in Sacramento. i mention a possible trade that makes sense in a way as far as shedding money goes. Depending on who you believe, Cousins will be traded before the season starts so if that happens, they will need a Center and thats where NYK could consider moving Chandler's contract for Evans to fill the void. They can easily find a Evans TYPE of a player in the draft so for the Kings you either get something for Evans NOW or nothing when he bounces after his contract is up

Will Bynum seemed to finally have his game grow up this season at age 30 — they guy always had the quick first step and the ability to put up points in bunches on the right night. But this season, playing behind Brandon Knight, he stopped taking as many bad shots and turning the ball over. He averaged 9.8 points a game with an above average PER of 16.6.

He’s the kind of backup point guard a team that need athleticism in the backcourt could really use… like the Lakers and Knicks.

And both are interested in him as a free agent, reports Vincent Ellis of the Detroit Free Press.

for either the Tyreke or Paul thing to officially begin to work out, the whole thing depends on waht Boston and the Clippers do....

if Doc goes to Clippers, all signs are pointing that KG and Pierce will follow via FA....if Clippers manage to get both and have Jordan and Griffin to trade elsewhere, they can get better pieces to the puzzle and this scenario is helpful for the Evans route. if Boston don't get Jordan or Griffin via sign n trade, they will target Cousins (Boston was one of the 4-5 teams that are interested in trading for him). Kings make this trade, they'll need that Center and insert in my scenario Tyson Chandler (work something out in a package trade involving Chandler for Evans)

if Doc doesn't go, you give Paul yet another reason to wanna leave LA and something can possibly be worked out (i don't see it since numbers don't really add up) so Paul will have to do the unlikely and take a huuuuuge paycut for about a year cause next year.

everything depends on the salary cap, its going up but it depends for anything to work out...if anything, Clippers will be in need of a Center and and possibly work something out involving Chandler. Paul is the one who can make Melo and Amar'e co-exist since he's reason for not likiing playing with both Griffin n Jordan won't be an issue here since Amar'e doesn't babysit the paint (which Paul prefers since his style needs the paint clear) and Melo can be on the wing more and won't have to iso as much since he can trust Paul to make the smart decisions. Felton can start with Paul if need be, especially since Woody likes to have multiple PG's on the floor together and it'll be a beautiful thing

Bynum would give them some production per minute offensively and strength at the guard position but at who’s expense? If they bring Bynum in at the expense of Pablo Prigioni I think that would be a terrible mistake.